Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Enchanting Emirates - the time to go is now  

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page” - Saint Augustine

The Middle East is a geopolitical region encompassing the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, Turkey, Egypt, Iran & Iraq. A grand epic, a cradle of Civilisations & a beautiful, complicated land that is home to some of the Planet's most hospitable people. Quite simply extraordinary, one of the world's most fascinating & rewarding travel destinations - a tapestry of enchantment awaiting adventurous souls.

As you step into this fascinating region of ancient Wonders & vibrant Cultures, let the words of ancient intrepid Travelers, Poets & Dreamers guide you through an inspirational journey that transcends borders & speaks to the wanderlust in the heart of modern Marco Polos or Ibn Battutas & so many others who travelled on ‘land’ (we are not referring to the Seafaring Explorers).

And with its man-made palm shaped Islands, an array of opulent Hotels, palatial Beach Resorts & the sci-fi-esque city of iconic Skyscrapers, the newly minted United Arab Emirates has always been a show-stopping, headline-grabbing destination, offering an intriguing blend of Islamic Culture & Modernity. An intriguing land that combines old-world Souks & modern city-sized Shopping Malls, rolling Sand Dunes, indoor Ski slopes, championship grass Golf Courses & remote Bedouin villages. The 7 Emirates defy an easy definition with a mix of evolution especially, Dubai & Abu Dhabi, are a stirring alchemy of profound traditions & ambitious futuristic vision Come…discover the Sheikhdoms with us & prepare to be charmed…

The Middle East is quite simply extraordinary, one of the world's most fascinating & rewarding travel destinations. It was here that some of the most significant Civilisations of antiquity rose & fell and where the 3 great monotheistic religions - Judaism, Christianity & Islam - were born. Left behind is an astonishing open-air Museum of ancient cities & historic buildings, the stones of which still resonate with the sounds of the faithful.

The Mid-east is illuminated history - home to some of the world's most epic cities of history - Jerusalem, Petra, Damascus & Palmyra, Teheran & Persepolis, Baghdad & Istanbul & Ephesus, Beirut & Baalbek and the bounty of ancient Egypt that mark the passage of centuries in a region where the ancient world lives & breathes.

This is where humankind first built Cities & learned to write & it is in these cities, that you find the stirring, aspirational Architecture that so distinguishes the 3 great Faiths. Wherever you find yourself, the past is always present because here, perhaps more than anywhere else on Earth, history is the heart & soul of the land.

The landscapes of the region are equally spellbinding, from the unrivalled seas of sand dunes & palm-fringed lakes in Libya’s Sahara Desert to the stunning mountains of the north & the underwater world of the Red Sea.

Above all else, however, your most enduring memory of the Region, is likely to be its people. Their gracious welcome & boundless hospitality, speak of an altogether more “civilised” age.

At some point in the Middle East, you will be sitting in a Coffeehouse or looking lost in a labyrinth of narrow lanes alongside the more secular charms of Bazaars, when someone will strike up a conversation & within minutes, invite you home to meet their family & share a meal. Or someone will simply approach & say with unmistakable warmth, ‘Welcome’. These spontaneous, disarming & utterly genuine words of welcome can occur anywhere across the region. Their gracious Welcome & boundless Hospitality speak of an altogether more civilised age. And when they do, they can suddenly (& forever) change the way you see the Middle East portrayed in the West.

From the gravitas of the Sahara to the blue tiles of Esfahan, this is a region for discerning travellers, for those looking for the story behind the headline, and where the bridges between ancient & modern civilisations are evident everywhere. If you believe what the Media & Politicians tells you & decide not to visit, you would be missing out on the journey of a lifetime.

And now let us talk about the Emirates & leave your preconceptions at home.

Hospitality| Glimpse of the Future |Shopping Haven |Cultural Dynamism

For most people, the United Arab Emirates means just one place: Dubai, the sci-fi-esque city of iconic Skyscrapers, palm-shaped Islands, city-sized Malls, indoor Ski Slopes & palatial Beach Resorts. But beyond the glitter, awaits a diverse mosaic of of 6 more Emirates, each with its own character & allure & Ruler.

The United Arab Emirates is a union of 7 sovereign Sheikhdoms, formed when the British withdrew from the Gulf in 1971. The Sun always shines here, it's naturally desert climate & convenient location in the Arabian Gulf has endowed it with warm seas & cozy Beaches. Together with a booming economy, where Trade & Tourism are encouraged, it also makes for the ultimate Shopping destination.

Comprised of little more than sand dunes, crumbling forts and fishing villages a century ago, the UAE has grown into a show-stopping, headline-grabbing destination which offers an intriguing blend of traditional Islamic culture, modernity & rampant consumerism.

7 separate Emirates make up the country, but visitor attention falls mainly on Dubai & Abu Dhabi. Both are home to an ever-growing spread of luxury accommodation, gourmet Restaurants, branded Nightclubs & gleaming Malls.

Every year, tourist attractions are constantly being upgraded & added - from one of the world's largest Aqua Parks to Cultural & Wildlife Museums. From Wind Towers to towering Skyscrapers, the country has a unique blend of the traditional Arab, Islamic culture combined with the modernity of a cosmopolitan living environment. Its state-of-the-art tourist infrastructure with numerous world-class Hotels, Sports events & Shopping spectaculars held annually, ensures its position as the Mid-east’s number one tourist destination

Powered largely (but by no means exclusively) by oil wealth, the UAE today is defined by opulent resort hotels, ultra-modern architecture & a seemingly unending thirst for new & innovative mega-projects. Man-made islands in the shape of palm trees? Tick. Billionaire royals taking over Premiership football clubs? Tick. Tallest building on the planet? Naturally.

Powered largely (but by no means exclusively) by oil wealth, UAE today is defined by opulent Hotels, ultra-modern Architecture & a seemingly unending thirst for new & innovative Mega-projects. Man-made Islands in the shape of Palm Trees? Tick. Billionaire Royals taking over Premiership of Football Clubs? Tick. Tallest building on the Planet? Naturally.

While the UAE these days appears to be little more than a stage for Dubai (out of 7) to strut its increasingly crazy stuff, there’s far more to this fabulous little federation than Disneyesque dioramas. The UAE is a contradictory destination, an Islamic state where the DJs’ turntables stop spinning just before the muezzins’ morning call to prayer can be heard & where a traditional Bedouin lifestyle & customs continue alongside a very Western version of rampant consumerism. While many visitors marvel at the fantastic (in the true sense of the word) hotel & real estate projects, the real wonder is how the savvy Sheikhs manage to harmonise such disparate & seemingly opposing forces.

For Western visitors, the UAE is a very safe Mid-east destination, with the comforts of home & a taste of the exotic. Here, you can max out those Credit Cards at Designer clothing shops, laze on a gorgeous Beach & sip a Cocktail as you plan which fine dining Restaurant to book & which international DJ to dance to until the early morning.

The world has watched, spellbound over the past decade as billionaire Emiratis built iconic Megastructures, seducing slack-jawed Tourists & Expats with the sail-shaped “6 star” Hotel Burj al-Arab, the Burj Khalifa skyscraper & the sea-themed Atlantis Resort, bustling Souks & sprawling, tax-free ShoppingMalls, which are microcosms of the UAE’s lofty ambitions.

The regular Fountain show in downtown Dubai rivals that of the Bellagio in Las Vegas, while vast Shopping complexes like Dubai Mall (complete with one of the world’s largest Aquariums) &  Mall of the Emirates (complete with Ski slope) are packed with premium international labels.

An hour's drive south of Dubai, oil-rich Abu Dhabi, the Capital of UAE, is positioning itself as a hub of Culture, Sport & Leisure. Beyond, looms the vast Al Gharbia region, which is dominated by the northern reaches of the Rub' Al Khali (Empty Quarter) Desert. Its magical silence is interrupted only by the whisper of shifting Dunes rolling towards Saudi Arabia.

Abu Dhabi doesn’t have quite the same verve but boasts some remarkable attractions, from the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque with the world's largest hand-loomed Carpet, the fastest roller Coaster in Ferrari World Theme Park. highest High Tea venue, the Tower with the greatest lean, the largest cluster of cultural buildings of the 21^st century - UAE isn't afraid to challenge world records.

And in both destinations, there is the option to delve into the UAE’s blend of Islamic culture & modernity, from Spice Souks to Falcon Hospitals. Meanwhile, the vast natural Desert offers endless discoveries via exciting modes of transport from hot air Balloon & Quad Bike to Helicopter or Sand-board. Head out to the desert sands for a camel ride under a star-filled sky,

But, don’t be dazzled by Abu Dhabi & Dubai alone. The other Emirates are also worthy of exploration.

North of Dubai, you can soak up the atmosphere at Sharjah - UAE's Art & Heritage center (& haggle over souvenirs in Sharjah’s souqs) while Ras-al-Khamiah, has excellent off-road Driving & Hiking in the rugged Hajar Mountains & also offers coral-filled waters (the Beaches near Ras Al Khaimah are as unspoilt as you will find anywhere in the region). Coastal Fujairah offers idyllic Snorkeling & Scuba-diving in clear waters of the Gulf of Oman while tiny Ajman & Umm Al Quwain provide glimpses of life in the pre-oil days.

For a while, it seemed as though nothing could halt the rise of this burgeoning Arabian Gulf country, until the global financial crisis swept through, that is. With billions of dollars invested in property projects, Dubai suffered a major economic blow. However, the oil rich Capital of Abu Dhabi escaped relatively unscathed & now looks set to become the country's cultural heart, with both the Louvre & the Guggenheim Museum scheduled to open in 2025.

There is never been a better time to visit the UAE; to explore the country’s tranquil Desert, be pampered at luxurious Hotels & Spas & marvel at the fact this was all a desolate Desert barely 50 years back & now Dubai, designated as the 1^st Mid-east City to be listed under UNESCO Creative Cities of Design.

See ‘some’ of the Highlights of the Sheikhdoms of UAE & be amazed at ‘what was’, ‘what is’ & ‘what will be’. Human ingenuity clubbed with visionary Leaders & of course, deep, deeper, deepest Pockets, that the West does not have.  We are sure that this experience will give you a glimpse of the wonders of the Emirates & would make you want to come back. If you have the time, you can even combine your experience with one of the next door neighbors - Qatar, Oman, Iran, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Maldives or even India or Sri Lanka, all 3 - 5 hours away.

Welcome to an exciting region where nothing stands still…except perhaps the herons in its Mangroves – it is going to be one exciting trip…… yep, the Emirates are waiting, and The Journeys is ready to take you on well, a journey (or journeys) of discovery.

 Come…be inspired & discover the World…